We renovated and updated this classic colonial home to feel timeless, curated, sun-filled, and tranquil. We used a dreamy color story of grays, creams, blues, and blacks throughout the space to tie each room together. We also used a mixture of metals and natural materials throughout the design to add eclectic elements to the design and make the whole home feel thoughtful, layered and connected. In the entryway, we wanted to create a serious 'wow' moment. We wanted this space to feel open, airy, and super functional. We used the wood and marble console table to create a beautiful moment when you walk in the door, that can be utilized as a 'catch-all' by the whole family — you can't beat that stunning staircase backdrop! The dining room is one of my favorite spaces in the whole home. I love the way the cased opening frames the room from the entry — It is a serious showstopper! I also love how the light floods into this room and makes the white linen drapes look so dreamy! We used a large farmhouse-style, wood table as the focal point in the room and a beautiful brass lantern chandelier above. The table is over 8' long and feels substantial in the room. We used gray linen host chairs at the head of the table to contrast the warm brown tones in the table and bistro chairs.

Elbow Valley Estate

Brenda Motter Interiors LTD

Modern Farmhouse

Brad Ramsey Interiors

Mountain Lakes Historical Home - Dining Room

Grayscale Homes Designs

Otis Street Residence

Jill Litner Kaplan Interiors

Michael J. Lee Photography

Camdyn | McLean, VA

Evergreene Homes

Beautiful Tree House

Liz Mearns | Imagine Design

Jordan Residence

Geoff Chick & Associates

Custom Home Design - Reading, MA

Tektoniks Architects

Dining Room Website: www.tektoniksarchitgects.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/tektoniks_architects

Dining Room

Arch Studio, Inc.

Craftsman Style Residence New Construction 2021 3000 square feet, 4 Bedroom, 3-1/2 Baths

Kensington Family Home

Simply Home Decorating

The kitchen may be the heart of a home, but the dining room is where the family gathers to enjoy special occasions, create and pass on traditions, and savour each other’s company free from distractions. The family behind this particular dining room enjoys doing just that. When they are not traveling the world, Matthew and Anna (names changed) love to cook meals at home with their teenage daughter, entertain family and friends, and live amongst their cherished travel souvenirs and heirlooms. Their dining room, however, was far from the perfect backdrop for these experiences. Before: Dining Room: When Matthew and Anna contacted us, they imagined a space that would comfortably seat 8 to 10 people and incorporate their beautiful inherited dining table and sideboard in a fresh, modern way. Above all, they wanted a dining room that they would feel proud to share. They worked with us to design, lightly renovate, and furnish their dining room and adjacent living space. Now, the room is nothing short of inviting and elevated. Classic Yet Contemporary Dining Room: Viewed from the living area, the dining room is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Matthew and Anna wanted dark blue for the walls, and we couldn’t have been happier to find the perfect shade for them. By leaning darker, this rich blue creates the perception of depth, making the room feel enticing, comfortable and secluded. The previous built-ins were underwhelming and lacked function, so we designed wider, taller, double sided cabinets that integrated the existing bulk-head, and then accessorized the shelves with the family’s travel finds, books, and decor. Topping these units with brass art lights not only blends contemporary and traditional styles, it also draws attention to the dining table’s modern show-stopping chandelier. You can’t miss it. Inside the dining room, the effect is equally impressive: enveloping yet spacious, warm yet cool, classic yet contemporary. We incorporated their heirloom pieces seamlessly into the design thanks to the 1:2 ratio. For every traditional piece, we introduced two more modern or contemporary pieces — clean lines, subtle curves, and lustrous brass hardware. The result is a collected yet updated look. In any room with dark walls, lighting is of the utmost importance. We placed a mirror adjacent to the window to reflect natural light throughout the room, and we kept the trim and ceiling white for brightness. To provide maximum versatility, we provided multiple light sources that can be adjusted to create different levels of light to suit any mood or occasion. These include: pot lights and a chandelier on dimmers, a sculptural trilight lamp on the sideboard, and art lights on the bookcases and above important art pieces. The built-ins have another surprise waiting inside this special dining room: Double-sided built-ins: dining room shelving and living room shelving. Rather than keep them white like we did in the living room, we painted the back wall of the book cases the same dark blue as the walls in the rest of the room. This reduces the contrast with the surrounding walls and emphasizes the white outline of the cabinets. We also love the dark blue walls’ role as a beautiful backdrop for this family’s treasures. The brass accessories and hand-painted vases and bowls feel like part of the experience. Of course, what is beauty without function? It may not look like it, but the base storage is only accessible from the dining room side. The units include deep cabinets for storing serving ware, as well as another delightful surprise: silverware drawers lined in luxurious navy velvet! Lastly, we designed this beautiful nook for their heirloom sideboard. From afar, the wall looks as if it has texture and perhaps a touch of shine. Up close, you will notice that it is actually navy blue wallpaper with tiny golden dots. This unique touch accentuates the brass in the room touches throughout the space.. The room feels curated, contemporary, and full of character. Words of Praise: Anna and Matthew were thrilled with their new dining room and with the design process itself, which is always the highest compliment. They said: “Working with Lori and her team at Simply Home Decorating was a great experience. The design they came up with was both beautiful and practical for our family. Renovations can be stressful but working with Simply Home made the process much more pleasant. “Simply Home's project management and their longstanding relationships with reliable trades meant we could relax, knowing that everything was taken care of. If an issue arose, the entire Simply Home team was quick to address it. They were excellent at communicating with us—we never felt like we didn't know what was going on. We would highly recommend working with Simply Home Decorating.” Thank you, Matthew and Anna! We are honoured to have been part of your journey and wish your family many happy memories in these new spaces. Now, is it your turn? Are you ready to uncover the hidden potential in your home? If so, contact us here to start the conversation or download my guide Uncovering the Hidden Potential in Your Home below to learn more about what we can do for you.

Belgrave Mansion

Tollgard Design Group

Transformed Traditional

Bilotta Kitchen & Home

Today’s traditional kitchens are nothing like the overly embellished ones of the ‘90’s & early 2000’s, replete with intricately carved posts, columns, corbels, overlays and moldings. Today’s classic kitchen is edited down to time honored elements, simpler trims, with some contemporary touches. Recessed panel doors with a beveled inner profile, and slab drawers with a rounded outer trim, line the perimeter. The main body of the island is “L”-shaped, but the overhang is curved, repeating the curved breakfast nook window and paneled banquette. Clean-lined slab doors and drawers allow the island’s shapely form to shine. Two tones again prove popular, with gray paint on the perimeter and rift-cut white oak stained dark brown on the island. Clear glass doors flanking the hood have natural maple interiors to brighten the expanse of cabinetry. In the dining room, the upper glass doors of the hutch cabinets have matching painted interiors for a more formal look. Crown molding is an uncluttered cove, and under cabinet lighting is discreetly hidden in the recessed bottoms. Frosted drum pendants and a linear dining chandelier holding frosted glass “candles” are unapologetically contemporary. Perimeter countertops and backsplashes are subtly veined marble, while the island top is gray quartz. This project was done in collaboration with Kathleen Walsh Interiors. Photography by Rikki Snyder.

Ultimate NW Contemporary Architecture

Kritsonis Lindor

For the Love of Horses

Teakwood Builders, Inc.

SKD Mercer Island Refresh

Kate Savitch Design

Refreshed cabinets with new paint color and added dining chairs and rug to an existing dining table.

Home Remodel

Creation thru Imagination, LLC

3 dimensional hand sculpted plaster mural, custom crown molding, chair ail & wainscoting, wood graining, hardwood floors

Dining Room Design Ideas with Medium Hardwood Floors and Coffered

A dining room can be used for casual dining, integrated into an open plan and connected to the living and kitchen areas; or as a formal space reserved solely for entertaining. While it may not be used frequently, it is a great focal point in the home, and requires little furnishings. Here's what you need to consider before you start planning a new dining room...

How will you use your dining room?

First, consider how frequently you will use the space. If you plan on using your dining room on a daily basis, a casual dining set-up with sturdy, long-lasting furniture is best. As for where you position it – well, any unused space in the home can be converted into a casual dining space, whether it be at the end of a kitchen island, or at the bottom of the stairs. A formal dining room, on the other hand, is more suited to a dedicated space, which is more common in heritage homes where space originally wasn’t at a premium. Perhaps you want your dining room to multi-task and accommodate everyday meals, homework sessions and grown-up dinner parties… If that’s the case, furniture is key. Look for versatile dining tables in either Australian or New Zealand hardwood or weathered timber for a more rustic look. These won’t show up sticky fingerprints as much and can be dressed up for guests.

What size and shape should your dining table be?

Your dining table should be able to seat all family members with some room for additional guests – each person should have at least 60 centimetres of space at the table. The right size, however, also depends on how much room you have. A general rule of thumb is to leave no less than 1 metre from the dining table to the wall or any additional furniture, so people have enough room to comfortably move around the space. Rectangular dining tables are versatile and can work in a variety of settings, while oval dining tables are more traditional and can turn any meal into an occasion. If you have a tight space to work in, a round dining table is best, and also a great option if you want to encourage conversation. A square dining table can be a dramatic addition to a dining room, but only if you have the space. It allows everyone at the table to see each other, but the bigger the table, the harder it will be able to hold a conversation with someone at the other end.

What type of dining chairs should you choose?

Once you’ve decided on a dining table, look for dining chairs that share a common design element. If your dining table legs are curved, for example, try to match them with dining chairs that have a similar curve, either in the legs or back. Next, consider the dimensions of the chair. The height of your dining chairs should allow at least 30 centimetres between the top of the seat and the top of the table. And to keep your tush happy, avoid dining chairs narrower than 45 centimetres.

How can you decorate your dining room?

Dining rooms are relatively minimal spaces, but that makes them a great place to splash a little colour through artwork, especially if yours is a formal dining room. If your dining room is lacking warmth, consider painting the walls a deep shade of red or blue, or go contemporary with black or grey. A cosy rug will make the space feel more intimate, while a sideboard or cabinet of curiosities will further personalise the space. Often overlooked, dining room lighting can also drastically alter the mood of a room, creating drama, spurring romance or encouraging conversation. Opt for soft lighting in the dining area with dimmer switches, and choose oversized pendants in large, open spaces or to make the dining area more of a focal point. Finally, add some table settings, such as a lace tablecloth for a whimsy feel, or a more basic table runner for a chic look. If you need some help designing your dining room, consider checking the Houzz directory of interior designers, home stylists, cabinet makers and more!